The trend of celebrities owning wineries and vineyards is not a recent phenomenon, though it has certainly garnered more attention in today's Information Age. In ancient Greek and Roman times, the leading philosophers, playwrights, politicians and generals of the day often owned vineyards for personal use.[1] Usually celebrities have a large amount of wealth accumulated, which makes the significant investment of opening a winery or vineyard negligible.
There are many reasons that celebrities gravitate to the world of wine. Starting a winery or vineyard, as with nearly any business, can offer some tax benefits. Some celebrities, such as the Italian-American director Francis Ford Coppola, come from a family with a long history of winemaking. Some, such as the British singer Cliff Richard, have been lifelong wine enthusiasts and enter the wine industry in order to do something that they enjoy. Others like the challenge of a new enterprise. Some celebrities enter the wine industry simply because they can.[2]
While some celebrities, such as the American actors Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, British association football star David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham, own vineyards and wine estates solely for personal use, some celebrities leverage their name recognition as a selling tool in the wine industry. Today celebrity-owned wineries can be lucrative business endeavors. In 2007, Nielsen research of supermarket wine purchases showed that sales of celebrity wines were up 19% over previous years.[3]
Celebrities have different degrees of involvement in their wineries and vineyards. Nearly all of them partner, in some form of collaboration, with a winery or winemaker who is already established in the industry. An example of this is retired American football player Joe Montana, who partnered with longtime Beringer winemaker Ed Sbragia to make their joint venture wine Montagia. While Sbragia oversees most of the viticultural and winemaking tasks, Montana is involved in deciding on the overall "vision" of the wine and participates in tasting and blending trials.[2]
Similarly, the celebrity may own their own "wine brand" that is produced with their collaborating winery instead of owning a physical winery or wine estate itself. An example of this is the brand Mike Ditka Wines, owned by former American football coach Mike Ditka. The wine is produced in partnership at the physical winemaking facilities of the Mendocino Wine Company. While it could be described as a "winery", technically Mike Ditka Wines is a "wine brand" owned by Ditka, who participates in blending and tasting trials.[4] Other celebrities, such as French actor Gérard Depardieu, are very active in both the production and business dealings of the winery. Depardieu, who owns wineries in several countries across the globe, even has his passport listing his occupation as vigneron.[2]
Some celebrities may only have "legacy" attachments to the wines that bear their names. One example is the Gallo wine brand MacMurray Ranch, which uses some grapes grown on a California ranch that was once owned by the American actor Fred MacMurray. Under his ownership, the ranch was dedicated mostly to raising horses.[5] After MacMurray died, his family sold most of the land to the Gallo family, but are still involved with the winery.[3] [6]
Another "legacy" celebrity who was more intimately connected with the winery that now carries his name was the American actor Raymond Burr. Burr bought the ranch with his domestic partner and planted grapevines for wine production before he died in 1993. His partner, Robert Benevides, renamed the estate after Burr and continued making wines featuring his name.[7] Some celebrities lend their names to a winery for a special one-time wine production. Mexican-American musician Carlos Santana partnered with the Champagne house G.H. Mumm to create a sparkling wine in 2005 titled Santana DVX.[8] While Santana helped select the final blend and received royalties for the use of his name and image, he doesn't particularly "own" the brand nor does he continue to be involved in the wine industry.
American musician Bob Dylan participated in a similar arrangement with the Italian winery Fattoria Le Terrazze. Dylan gave permission for the winery to use his name, likeness and album art to create a wine that pays tribute to his 1974 album Planet Waves.[9] In 2007, American entrepreneur Martha Stewart announced a collaboration with the American winery Gallo to produce value-marketed wines to be sold at Kmart, which also featured her Martha Stewart Living line of housewares.[10] In 2009, British chef Gordon Ramsay allowed a Bordeaux winery to use his name, without royalties, to celebrate the release of their 10th vintage.[11]
Hall of Fame Quarterback John Elway found his way to wine ownership in 2015 as an restaurateur through his four Colorado based steak house appropriately named, Elway's. The wines are now sold in 35 states. Proceeds from their wines benefit a veterans organization called Team Rubicon.[12]
Below is a partial listing of celebrities who own commercial wineries, wine brands or vineyards. This is not a listing of celebrities who only own vineyards for private use.
Celebrity | Winery/vineyard | Location | Notes | Reference | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ev&Em Vineyards | Purchased existing vineyard, renovated and renamed Ev&Em in 2021 | [13] | |||
Nocking Point Wines | Columbia Valley wines; co-owned with Walla Walla native Andrew Harding | [14] | |||
Founded winery with Joe Antonini, CEO of sponsor Kmart during final eight years of CART career (1987–94) | |||||
The renowned biology professor grows Perot Lego, Petite Sirah, Touriga Nacional, Pinot Noir and other varieties for local wineries. | [15] [16] | ||||
Dan Aykroyd Wines | Collaboration with Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits in Autumn 2008 | [17] | |||
Sierra Wine Corp. | [18] | ||||
Dusty Baker | Baker Family Wines | Granite Bay, Placer County, California | Started in 2013 with winemaker & managing partner Chik Brenneman | [19] [20] | |
Anta Banderas | Banderas acquired 50% shareholding of Bodega Anta Natura, located in the town of Burgos Villalba de Duero | [21] [22] | |||
Elizabeth Banks | Archer Roose | Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy; Provence, France; Casablanca Valley, Chile; Mendoza, Argentina | Co-owner | [23] | |
Carmel Road | In partnership with Carmel Road Winery | [24] | |||
Bastianich Winery | [25] [26] | ||||
La Mozza | [27] | ||||
Gérard Bertrand | Gérard Bertrand Estates | Languedoc-Roussillon, France | Former rugby union player representing France and renown winemaker | [28] | |
Doubleback Wine | Originally collaborated with Washington winemaker Chris Figgins of Leonetti Cellars. Since the 2015 vintage, Bledsoe has collaborated with Figgins' protege Josh McDaniels. | [29] [30] | |||
Mary J. Blige | Sun Goddess | Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy | Collaboration with the renowned Fantinel Winery. | [31] | |
Jon Bon Jovi | Hampton Water Wine Co | Languedoc-Roussillon, France | Bon Jovi and his son Jesse, partnered with winemaker Gérard Bertrand. | [32] | |
Maison Carole Bouquet | [33] [34] | ||||
Bracco Wines | Produces wines from several Italian wine regions | [35] | |||
Kix Brooks | Arrington Vineyards | Former 95-acre cattle ranch converted to winery with 16-acre vineyard open to the public | [36] | ||
Adobe Road Winery | Opened in 2002 | ||||
Bueno Wines | [37] [38] | ||||
Chateau Boswell Winery | [39] [40] | ||||
Raymond Burr Vineyards | Established by actor in 1986 and left to his partner, Robert Benevides. The vineyard was closed and sold in 2018, but since reopened. | ||||
Finale Wines | Collaboration with California winemaker Dennis De La Montanya. Cain family has a winemaking history as his grandfather made wine after arriving in Arkansas from Czechoslovakia in 1920. | [41] | |||
Brandi Carlile | XOBC Cellars | Partnership with her wife Catherine and their friends, Jeri and Amy Andrews. | [42] | ||
Al Bano Carrisi Winery | [43] | ||||
The 50 by 50 | Centerpiece of the estate is both eight acres of the Bordeaux grapes, and the meticulous resurrection of 20th Century Modernist architect, Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe's 50 by 50 House designed over 60 years ago. | [44] [45] | |||
[46] | |||||
Claypool Cellars | [47] [48] | ||||
Bruce Cohn | Cohn was manager of The Doobie Brothers. | ||||
Renamed Inglenook in 2011 | |||||
Chateau de Tigne | Anjou, Loire Valley, France | ||||
Cameron Diaz | Avaline | France, Spain | Partnered with Katherine Power | [49] | |
Mike Ditka Wines | Collaboration with the Mendocino Wine Company | [50] | |||
Snoop Dogg | 19 Crimes | Australia, Lodi, California | A multiyear partnership with Australian wine brand | [51] | |
Del Dotto Vineyards | [52] | ||||
Earl Stevens Selections | Central Valley, California | [53] | |||
Ernie Els Wines | Collaboration with award-winning winemaker Louis Strydom. | [54] | |||
John Elway | 7Cellars | Founded in 2015 by HOF'er, entrepreneur & restaurateur with winemaker Robert Mondavi Jr. Released 'The Farm Collection & Elway's Reserves' in 2020 | [55] | ||
Casa Dumetz | [56] | ||||
Nick Faldo Wines | Collaboration with Katnook Estate | [57] | |||
Guy Fieri | Hunt & Ryde Winery | Named after sons, Hunter and Ryder. Partnership with winemaker Guy Davis | [58] | ||
Vinos Don Elías | First celebrity-owned winery in Chile & South America, established 1999 | [59] | |||
Mick Fleetwood Private Cellar | Collaboration with Langtry Estate and Vineyards | [60] | |||
Fleming Jenkins Vineyards and Winery | Founded with her husband, Greg Jenkins. The winery ceased production in January 2012 and the business closed. | [61] | |||
Fergie (Stacy) Ferguson | Ferguson Crest | Founded with her father in 2006. | [62] [63] | ||
Coste Brulade | In partnership with the Coste Brulade co-op at Puget-Ville | [64] | |||
Jeff Gordon Wines | Collaboration with August Briggs Wines | ||||
Wayne Gretzky Estates | Collaboration with Peller Estates Winery | [65] | |||
TH Estate Wines | University of Georgia and former NFL player, winemaker, viticulturist and winery proprietor. | [66] | |||
Il Cantante | Collaboration with Italian winemaker Salvo Foti | ||||
Bodega Iniesta | [67] | ||||
Vineyard a listed cultural heritage site | [68] | ||||
Kamen Estate Wines | Phil Coturri, viticulturist; Mark Herold, winemaker | [69] | |||
Also owns Merkin Vineyards in Arizona | [70] | ||||
John Legend | LVE Wines | St. Helena, California | Partnership with owner Jean-Charles Boisset of Napa-based Raymond Vineyards and the JCB Winery collection. Raymond Vineyards also owns wineries in France | [71] | |
Lewis Cellars | Family winery established in 1992. | [72] | |||
Little Jonathan Winery | Collaboration with California winemaker Alison Crowe | [73] | |||
Jack London, Estate of | Jack London Winery | Shepard family, descendants of London's half-sister Eliza Shepard. Since 1976, Kenwood Vineyards has been the exclusive producer of wines from the historic single vineyards of the famous Jack London Ranch. | [74] | ||
George Lucas | Skywalker Vineyards | Lucas Valley, California | The vineyards are located at Lucas's Skywalker Ranch in the North Coast AVA. | [75] | |
Villa San-Juliette | [76] | ||||
Pursued by Bear Wine | Collaboration with Washington winemaker Eric Dunham | [77] | |||
Fred MacMurray | MacMurray Estate Vineyards | An E & J Gallo property, but maintained by daughter Kate MacMurray with winemaker Boyd Morrison | [78] | ||
Post Malone | Maison No. 9 | Provence, France | Launched in 2020 collaborating with winemaker Alexis Cornu and E. & J. Gallo Winery | [79] | |
Vintage 13 Marino Estates | [80] | ||||
[81] | |||||
Viña Ventisquero Unico | Collaboration with Chilean winemaker Aurelio Montes Del Campo | [82] | |||
Owned by Ron Miller, who was married to Walt Disney's daughter until her death in 2013, and their children. | |||||
Nicki Minaj | Myx Fusions | Australia, Spain, Italy, Argentina and United States | Collaboration with Myx Fusions winery | [83] | |
Kylie Minogue | Gambellara, Italy | [84] | |||
Mirror Napa Valley | Kirk Venge winemaker | ||||
Montagia Wines | Collaboration with Ed Sbragia, former winemaker of Beringer Wines | ||||
Second Base Wines | Collaboratrion with Pat Burrell | ||||
Mustaine Vineyards | [85] | ||||
The Calling | Collaboration with winemaker Peter Deutsch, CEO of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits | [86] | |||
Vince Neil | Vince Neil Vineyards | Sonoma County, California | |||
Sam Neill | Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand | [87] | |||
Koala Blue Wines | |||||
Greg Norman Estates | [88] | ||||
Graham Norton's Own Sauvignon Blanc, collaboration with Invivo Wines in 2014 and 2015 | [89] | ||||
Eighty One | Collaboration with Lasorda Family Wines | [90] | |||
Arnold Palmer Wines | Collaboration with Luna Vineyards | [91] | |||
Coteau de l'Élisette | [92] | ||||
Fess Parker Winery | Was featured in the movie Sideways | ||||
Beaux Frères Vineyards & Winery | Co-owns winery with brother in law. To avoid a conflict of interest with his wine rating publication The Wine Advocate, Parker delegates the task of rating Oregon wines to another associate. | [93] | |||
Sarah Jessica Parker | Invivo X, SJP | New Zealand | Parker collaborated with New Zealand producer Invivo winery | [94] | |
Zinfandel Lane Vineyard | Also owns Skellenger Lane Vineyard in Napa Valley. Pelosi sells her grapes to other California winemakers instead of producing her own wine. | ||||
Pink | Two Wolves Wine | Santa Ynez Valley, California | [95] | ||
Pratum Coller Vineyard | Vineyard purchased in 2007 in his father's hometown. Produces Merlot amongst others. Family historically owned vineyards in the same area. | [96] | |||
Bought winemaking estate in 2012. Consult with Marc Perrin. In 2021, Jolie sold her half of the estate to Tenute del Mondo, the wine division the Stoli Group.[97] | [98] | ||||
Casa Piena | |||||
Black Hills Estate Winery | The British Columbia born actor is a co-owner in the estate | [99] | |||
Adega do Cantor | Collaboration with Quinta do Miradouro | [100] | |||
Lisa Rinna | Rinna Wines | South West France | partnership with Prestige Beverage Group | [101] | |
Cepa 21 | [102] | ||||
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn | Gogi Wines | Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California | [103] | ||
Savanna Samson Wines | Her first wine Sogno Uno is a red blend consisting mainly of the obscure Italian grape variety Cesanese. | [104] | |||
Scaggs Vineyard | Growing Grenache, Mourvedre, Syrah & Counoise varietals on the northern crest of Mt Veeder. | [105] | |||
Bo Schembechler Wines | |||||
Nicole Scherzinger | Nocking Point Wines | Walla Walla Valley, Washington | collaboration with Nocking Point Wines | [106] | |
Brian Schmidt | Maipenrai Vineyard and Winery | Owns and operates the winery with his wife. Nobel prize winner and vice-chancellor of the Australian National University. | [107] | ||
Seaver Vineyards | [108] | ||||
[109] | |||||
Alan Silvestri | Silvestri Vineyards | [110] | |||
Ramona Singer | Pinot Grigio, Merlot-Sangiovese produced by Opici Wines | [111] | |||
Bell Wine Cellars | Bought Bell Wine Cellars in Yountville to form Spanos Berberian Winery LLC and partnership with winemaker Anthony Bell. | [112] [113] | |||
Tenuta il Palagio | [114] [115] | ||||
Save Me, San Francisco Wine Co. | Collaboration with Concannon Vineyard. Named after the band's fifth album. | [116] [117] | |||
Podere Castorani | [118] | ||||
Donald and Eric Trump | Purchased by Donald Trump, but owned & operated by son, Eric Trump, Kerry Woolard as G.M., and Jonathan Wheeler, winemaker | [119] [120] | |||
V12 Vineyards | [121] | ||||
Vermeil Wines | Collaboration with Paul Smith of OnThEdge Winery. | [122] | |||
Dwyane Wade | Wade Cellars | Napa Valley, California | Co-founded by Wade and Jamie Watson in partnership with the iconic Pahlmeyer winemaker family, | [123] | |
Eric Wareheim | Las Jaras Wines | Collaboration with winemaker Joel Burt. | [124] [125] | ||
Grows grapes and makes privates label with Ingleside's owners and winemaker | [126] | ||||
Mike Weir Wine | Collaboration with broadcaster Bob McCown. Winery was closed in 2019 and placed into receivership due to court battle between Weir and McCown. | [127] | |||
Luca Roagna | The front figure of black-metal band Satyricon has also launched other brands including an organic Champagne cuvée produced by Baron-Fuenté. | [128] | |||
Charles Woodson and Intercept Wines | [129] | ||||
Halter Ranch and Vineyard | Ranch includes an 1,800-acre wildlife preserve and a 281-acre vineyard producing 13 varietals of grapes using methods that are "Sustainability in Practice" certified. | [130] | |||
Yao Family Wines | Established in November 2011 with industry leader Tim Hinde. | [131] [132] | |||
Måns Zelmerlöw | MZ Wines | Catalonia, Spain | [133] | ||